Malice" is the first book in the "Faithful and the Fallen" series by John Gwynne. It's an epic fantasy novel set in the Banished Lands, a world torn apart by ancient conflicts between good and evil. The story follows multiple characters, including Corban, a young farm boy with hidden potential; Veradis, a prince striving to prove himself; and Cywen, Corban's sister who dreams of becoming a warrior. As dark forces rise in the realm, these characters find themselves drawn into a battle against an ancient evil known as the Black Sun.